Delta drawn

Confluence of fertile California rivers promises big bites for anglers at FLW Series Western Division opener

OAKLEY, Calif. – The number of fish may be down a bit, but anglers fishing the first event of the Wal-Mart FLW Series National Guard Western Division in Oakley, Calif., can expect plenty of big bass to even out their days on the delta.

Tournament Director Chris Jones said the reports he’s heard tell of catches leaning a little more toward the quality side than quantity: “A lot of guys who caught them last year (at this event) are still catching good fish; they’re just catching them on every other bank. Last year, the bite was a little more consistent, but this year, they’re catching bigger fish.

“What’s happening is the anglers will fish one bank and catch nothing, but then move to another bank and catch 20 to 25 pounds. It’s spotty right now, but you’re still going to see big fish at the weigh-ins.”

How big? Jones looks for a few anglers to catch stringers as heavy as 30 to 35 pounds. Twenty pounds won’t turn any heads at this event.

“We’ll definitely see a 10-pound fish here, and we may even see a 12 or 13,” Jones said.

In the California Delta’s mostly shallow-water fishery, pros and co-anglers will find fish in a prespawn to spawning mode. Jones notes that the week’s stable weather should prompt many fish to move toward their shallow spawning areas – primarily along grass lines near the creeks. Flipping, jigging and Senko-style baits should do well in this scenario.

Anglers will find prespawn fish by throwing swimbaits along creek channel edges in 5 to 8 feet of water.

“A lot of the guys will be targeting the creek channels coming into the bay,” Jones said.

Tides will factor into game plans, as the Pacific Ocean’s influence pushes through San Francisco Bay and into the estuaries. Earl Dalton of Jackson, Calif., said he’ll start his day by fishing small ponds within the delta vegetation.

“I’ll have to fish fast in the morning, and then when the tide goes out, I’ll move into deeper water and fish slowly,” he said. “I’ll start off by fishing a half-ounce Rat-L-Trap as fast as I can to cover a lot of water. Then, as the tide moves out, I’ll slow down and fish a green-pumpkin jig.”

Dalton said that watching the clock is critical in tidal environments: “You have windows (of fishing opportunity). You definitely don’t have all day. You have to fish certain places throughout the Delta, north and south, as the tides move. You try to run with the tides and get to the good bite at the same time.”

Oregon pro Jay Yelas plans to fish close to Russo Marina on Bethel Island: “There’s plenty of good fishing within five or 10 miles of here. Probably the best fishing in the Delta is close, so you don’t have to run too far.”

Yelas will throw a Berkley jig and a spinnerbait. He hopes the day’s partly cloudy conditions will favor the latter. Targeting rocks and emergent vegetation, Yelas hopes to establish a strong position early.

“Last year, 20 pounds a day made the cut, but it’s hard to do that consistently for three days,” he said. “It would be nice to start off with something in the mid-20s.”

Logistics

Anglers will take off from Russo’s Marina located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island, Calif., at 7:30 each morning. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the marina beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 4893 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, Calif., beginning at 4 p.m. Children will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include the Kellogg’s trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.

The entire field competes for the first three days of FLW Series events. Co-angler winners are determined on day three based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top 10 professionals continue competition on day four, and the winner is determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.

On the Web

For bass-fishing fans unable to attend the festivities in person, you can catch all the weigh-in action live at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live. Show time starts at 2:30 p.m. today.

Wednesday’s conditions

Sunrise: 7:22 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 50 degrees

Expected high temperature: 66 degrees

Water temperature: 55 degrees

Wind: W at 8-10 mph

Humidity: 45 percent

Day’s outlook: cloudy